CRX - funny idle - weird starter

I just bought a crx from my cousin for $300 and i've noticed a couple of things wrong with it. First off there's some front end damage, not a big problem (fixable). The really big thing(s) are that I have to start it by touching some random red wire to the battery and I don't know what that could be to.. secondly, when the car idles it goes to 2000 rpms then to 1500 rpms then back to 2000 then if keeps going like that. does anybody know what could be wrong with it? any help would be greatly appreciated.

ohh one more thing, the turn signal lever was broken off.. does anybody know how hard that would be to replace it?

thanks again

any check engine light?

sparatic idle- probably a vacume leak. The wire probably goes to the starter cylinoid or the ignition switch. turn signal cam shouldnt be too hard, have to take appart the steering collumn partially.

what do you mean by a "vaccum leak" what should I check for? also there is no check engine light.

the little hoses that run from verious stuff under the hood, those are vaccum hoses. If the ends of them arnt tight or if there old and dried out they wont hold air tight and will cause issues. Most of the up and down idle that I'v seen is due to vacume leaks somewhere. Check for whissleing noises or get a spray bottle with water in it and spray on the hoses to see if you spot leaks.

the little hoses that run from verious stuff under the hood, those are vaccum hoses. If the ends of them arnt tight or if there old and dried out they wont hold air tight and will cause issues. Most of the up and down idle that I'v seen is due to vacume leaks somewhere. Check for whissleing noises or get a spray bottle with water in it and spray on the hoses to see if you spot leaks.

Agree with that. i had the same problem (and also another one that i posted about in "88 Idle Air Control Valve Troubleshooting"). it cleared up a lot of trouble by buying about $3 of vacuum hoses, and replacing all those small vacuum hoses. i did not replace the one off of the brake booster, but it appeared (and apparently is) OK.